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Life of Johnson Novel Chapters
List of most recent chapters published for the Life of Johnson novel. A total of 427 chapters have been translated and the release date of the last chapter is Apr 02, 2024
Latest Release: Chapter 1 : Life Of Johnson.Vol. 1.by Boswell.Edited by Birkbeck Hill.PREFACE.Fielding, it is said,
Life Of Johnson.Vol. 1.by Boswell.Edited by Birkbeck Hill.PREFACE.Fielding, it is said, drank confusion to the man who invented the fifth act of a play. He who has edited an extensive work, and has concluded his labours by the preparation of a copious ind
- 1 Life Of Johnson.Vol. 1.by Boswell.Edited by Birkbeck Hill.PREFACE.Fielding, it is said, drank confusion to the man who invented the fifth act of a play. He who has edited an extensive work, and has concluded his labours by the preparation of a copious ind
- 2 SAMUEL[110] JOHNSON was born at Lichfield, in Staffords.h.i.+re, on the 18th of September, N.S., 1709; and his initiation into the Christian Church was not delayed; for his baptism is recorded, in the register of St.Mary's parish in that city, to hav
- 3 1725: aeTAT. 16.--After having resided for some time at the house of his uncle, Cornelius Ford[158], Johnson was, at the age of fifteen, removed to the school of Stourbridge, in Worcesters.h.i.+re, of which Mr. Wentworth was then master. This step was tak
- 4 [Page 57: His wide reading. aeTAT. 19.]The two years which he spent at home, after his return from Stourbridge, he pa.s.sed in what he thought idleness[167], and was scolded by his father for his want of steady application[168]. He had no settled plan of
- 5 [Page 74: Dr. Adams. A.D. 1730.]The Bishop of Dromore observes in a letter to me, 'The pleasure he took in vexing the tutors and fellows has been often mentioned. But I have heard him say, what ought to be recorded to the honour of the present venera
- 6 'I lived here above a year, and completed my studies in divinity; in which time some letters were received from the fathers of Ethiopia, with an account that Sultan Segned[268], Emperour of Abyssinia, was converted to the church of Rome; that many of
- 7 '... _Ut pueris olim dant crustula blandi Doctores, elementa velint ut discere_[296].'[Page 99: Mrs. Johnson. aetat 27.]Johnson was not more satisfied with his situation as the master of an academy, than with that of the usher of a school; we ne
- 8 [Page 107: Johnson returns to Lichfield. aetat 28.]'To MR. CAVE.'Greenwich, next door to the Golden Heart, 'Church-street, July 12, 1737.'SIR, 'Having observed in your papers very uncommon offers of encouragement to men of letters
- 9 Intende nervos, fortis, inanibus Risurus olim nisibus aemuli; Intende jam nervos, habebis Participes operae Camoenas.Non ulla Musis pagina gratior, Quam quae severis ludicra jungere Novit, fatigatamque nugis Utilibus recreare mentem.Texente Nymphis serta
- 10 'I am to return you thanks for the present you were so kind as to send by me[346], and to intreat that you will be pleased to inform me by the penny-post[347], whether you resolve to print the poem. If you please to send it me by the post, with a not
- 11 Pope, the friend of Swift, would not of course have sought Lord Gower's influence with Swift. He applied to his lords.h.i.+p, no doubt, as a great midland-county landowner, likely to have influence with the trustees.Why, when the difficulty about the
- 12 It is remarkable, that Johnson's last quoted letter to Mr. Cave concludes with a fair confession that he had not a dinner; and it is no less remarkable, that, though in this state of want himself, his benevolent heart was not insensible to the necess
- 13 Morin.'[dagger] Two notes upon this appear to me undoubtedly his. He this year, and the two following, wrote the _Parliamentary Debates_. He told me himself, that he was the sole composer of them for those three years only. He was not, however, preci
- 14 His writings in the _Gentleman's Magazine_ in 1743, are, the 'Preface[456],'[dagger] the 'Parliamentary Debates,'[dagger]'Considerations on the Dispute between Crousaz[457] and Warburton, on Pope's Essay on Man;'[da
- 15 'No tenth transmitter of a foolish face[483].'But the fact is, that this poem was published some years before Johnson and Savage were acquainted[484].[Page 167: Johnson's prejudice against players. aetat 35.]It is remarkable, that in this b
- 16 'On Lord LOVAT'S _Execution_.'Pity'd by _gentle minds_ KILMARNOCK died; The _brave_, BALMERINO, were on thy side; RADCLIFFE, unhappy in his crimes of youth[522], Steady in what he still mistook for truth, Beheld his death so decently u
- 17 Were all the other excellencies of this poem annihilated, it must ever have our grateful reverence from its n.o.ble conclusion; in which we are consoled with the a.s.surance that happiness may be attained, if we 'apply our hearts[573]' to piety:
- 18 'Seldom in war a match for single persons--nor in peace; therefore kings make themselves absolute. Confederacies in learning--every great work the work of one. _Bruy_. Scholar's friends.h.i.+p like ladies. Scribebamus, &c. Mart.[617] the apple o
- 19 [Page 218: Johnson's masters in style. A.D. 1750.][Page 219: A Great Personage. aetat 41.]The style of this work has been censured by some shallow criticks as involved and turgid, and abounding with antiquated and hard words. So ill-founded is the fi
- 20 'It is yet in the power of a great people to reward the poet whose name they boast, and from their alliance to whose genius, they claim some kind of superiority to every other nation of the earth; that poet, whose works may possibly be read when ever
- 21 From Mr. Francis Barber I have had the following authentick and artless account of the situation in which he found him recently after his wife's death: [Page 242: Johnson's friends in 1752.]He was in great affliction. Mrs. Williams was then livi
- 22 Johnson's papers in _The Adventurer_ are very similar to those of _The Rambler_; but being rather more varied in their subjects, and being mixed with essays by other writers, upon topicks more generally attractive than even the most elegant ethical d
- 23 [Page 266: A wit among Lords. A.D. 1754.]Johnson having now explicitly avowed his opinion of Lord Chesterfield, did not refrain from expressing himself concerning that n.o.bleman with pointed freedom: 'This man (said he) I thought had been a Lord amo
- 24 The degree of Master of Arts, which, it has been observed[806], could not be obtained for him at an early period of his life, was now considered as an honour of considerable importance, in order to grace the t.i.tle-page of his _Dictionary_; and his chara
- 25 'Your most affectionate, &c.'SAM. JOHNSON.''[London,] Feb. 13, 1755,'To THE SAME, 'DEAR SIR, 'Dr. King[825] was with me a few minutes before your letter; this, however, is the first instance in which your kind intentions
- 26 [Page 285: Dr. Birch's letter. aetat 46.]In one of his little memorandum-books I find the following hints for his intended _Review or Literary Journal_: '_The Annals of Literature, foreign as welt as domestick_. Imitate Le Clerk--Bayle--Barbeyra
- 27 'I am, Sir, 'Your most affectionate, &c.'SAM. JOHNSON.''[London,] May 13, 1755.'To THE SAME.'DEAR SIR, 'It is strange how many things will happen to intercept every pleasure, though it [be] only that of two friends
- 28 It is a sad saying, that 'most of those whom he wished to please had sunk into the grave;' and his case at forty-five was singularly unhappy, unless the circle of his friends was very narrow. I have often thought, that as longevity is generally
- 29 'I know not why any one but a school-boy in his declamation should whine over the Common-wealth of Rome, which grew great only by the misery of the rest of mankind. The Romans, like others, as soon as they grew rich, grew corrupt; and in their corrup
- 30 'DEAR SIR, 'Dr. Marsili[959] of Padua, a learned gentleman, and good Latin poet, has a mind to see Oxford. I have given him a letter to Dr. Huddesford[960], and shall be glad if you will introduce him, and shew him any thing in Oxford.'I am
- 31 'I am, Sir, 'Your most obliged 'And most humble servant, 'SAM. JOHNSON.''London, March 8, 1758.'Dr. Burney has kindly favoured me with the following memorandum, which I take the liberty to insert in his own genuine easy
- 32 [Page 338: A violent death. A.D. 1759.]'I love, dear Sir, to think on you, and therefore, should willingly write more to you, but that the post will not now give me leave to do more than send my compliments to Mr. Warton, and tell you that I am, dear
- 33 'T. SMOLLET.'Mr. Wilkes, who upon all occasions has acted, as a private gentleman, with most polite liberality, applied to his friend Sir George Hay, then one of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty; and Francis Barber was discharged, as he
- 34 'I know not whether I can heartily rejoice at the kind reception which you have found, or at the popularity to which you are exalted. I am willing that your merit should be distinguished; but cannot wish that your affections may be gained. I would ha
- 35 Miss Cotterel[1093] still continues to cling to Mrs. Porter, and Charlotte[1094] is now big of the fourth child. Mr. Reynolds gets six thousands a year[1095]. Levet is lately married, not without much suspicion that he has been wretchedly cheated in his m
- 36 'Temple Lane 'SAM. JOHNSON.''Nov. 3, 1762.''TO MR. JOSEPH BARETTI, AT MILAN.'London, Dec. 21, 1762.SIR, [Page 381: Love and marriage. aetat 53.]'You are not to suppose, with all your conviction of my idleness, that
- 37 'Derrick may do very well, as long as he can outrun his character; but the moment his character gets up with him, it is all over.'[Page 395: Boswell's first call on Johnson. aetat 54.]It is, however, but just to record, that some years afte
- 38 We talked of belief in ghosts. He said, 'Sir, I make a distinction between what a man may experience by the mere strength of his imagination, and what imagination cannot possibly produce. Thus, suppose I should think that I saw a form, and heard a vo
- 39 affirming, that 'what was morally false could not be politically true; and as the King might, in the exercise of his regal power, command and cause the doing of what was wrong, it certainly might be said, in sense and in reason, that he could do wron
- 40 Mr. Alexander Donaldson, bookseller of Edinburgh, had for some time opened a shop in London, and sold his cheap editions of the most popular English books, in defiance of the supposed common-law right of _Literary Property_[1295]. Johnson, though he concu
- 41 He could not have viewed those two candles burning but with a poetical eye[1332].''Has not ----[1333] a great deal of wit, Sir?' JOHNSON. 'I do not think so, Sir. He is, indeed, continually attempting wit, but he fails. And I have no m
- 42 Next day, Sunday, July 31, I told him I had been that morning at a meeting of the people called Quakers, where I had heard a woman preach.JOHNSON. 'Sir, a woman's preaching is like a dog's walking on his hinder legs. It is not done well; bu
- 43 Professor Trotz, who formerly was of the University of Vranyken in Friesland, and is at present preparing an edition of all the Frisick laws, gave me this information. Of the modern Frisick, or what is spoken by the boors at this day, I have procured a sp
- 44 'And most humble servant, 'SAM. JOHNSON.''At the Rev. Mr. Percy's, at Easton Maudit, Northamptons.h.i.+re, (by Castle Ashby,) Aug. 19, 1764.'[Page 487: Johnson at Cambridge. aetat 56.]1765: aeTAT. 56.--Early in the year 1765
- 45 His _Shakespeare_ was virulently attacked by Mr. William Kenrick, who obtained the degree of LL.D. from a Scotch University, and wrote for the booksellers in a great variety of branches. Though he certainly was not without considerable merit, he wrote wit
- 46 Gulliver has thrown them into one to prevent unnecessary repet.i.tions.'(_Gent. Mag_. Dec. 1742, p. 676.) In each House during the winter of 1742-3 there was a debate on taking the Hanoverian troops into pay. The debate in the Lords was spread over f
- 47 APPENDIX B.JOHNSON'S LETTERS TO HIS MOTHER AND MISS PORTER IN 1759. (_Page 340_.) Malone published seven of the following letters in the fourth edition, and Mr. Croker the rest.'TO MRS. JOHNSON IN LICHFIELD.'HONOURED MADAM, 'The accoun
- 48 'Neither your condition nor your character make it fit for me to say much. You have been the best mother, and I believe the best woman in the world. I thank you for your indulgence to me, and beg forgiveness of all that I have done ill, and all that
- 49 repeated the whole sonnet instantly, _memoriter_, and shewed it us in Newton's book. After which he learnedly harangued on sonnet-writing, and its different numbers. He tells me he will come hither again quickly, and is promised "an habitation i
- 50 [4] _History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire_, ed. 1807, vol. i. p. xi. [5] _Post_, iii. 230. [6] _Post_, i. 7. [7] _Post_, ii. 212. [8] _Post_, i. 7. [9] _Post_, iv. 444. [10] _Post_, ii. 100. [11] _Post_, iv. 429; v. 17. [12] _Post_, v. 117.
- 51 [53] Six years before this Dedication Sir Joshua had conferred on him another favour. 'I have a proposal to make to you,' Boswell had written to him, 'I am for certain to be called to the English bar next February.Will you now do my picture
- 52 [75] In his _Letter to the People of Scotland, p. 92, he wrote:--'Allow me, my friends and countrymen, while I with honest zeal maintain _your_ cause--allow me to indulge a little more my _own egotism_ and _vanity_.They are the indigenous plants of m
- 53 [114] Her epitaph says that she was born at Kingsnorton. Kingsnorton is in Worcesters.h.i.+re, and not, as the epitaph says, 'in agro Varvicensi.'When Johnson a few days before his death burnt his papers, some fragments of his _Annals_ escaped t
- 54 Gibbon in his _Autobiography_ says:--'The domestic discipline of our ancestors has been relaxed by the philosophy and softness of the age: and if my father remembered that he had trembled before a stern parent, it was only to adopt with his son an op
- 55 As his prose compositions have never been published I will give one:-- 'Mea nec Falernae Temperant Vites, neque Formiani Pocula Colles.''Quaedam minus attente spectata absurda videntur, quae tamen penitus perspecta rationi sunt consentanea.
- 56 [218] 'August 1, 1715. This being the day on which the late Queen Anne died, and on which George, Duke and Elector of Brunswick, usurped the English throne, there was very little rejoicing in Oxford.... There was a sermon at St. Marie's by Dr. P
- 57 [241] See _post_, Dec. 1, 1743, note. Robert Levett, made famous by Johnson's lines (_post_, Jan. 20, 1782), was not of this family.[242] Mr. Warton informs me, 'that this early friend of Johnson was entered a Commoner of Trinity College, Oxford
- 58 197. BOSWELL. This letter shews how uncommon a thing a cold bath was.Floyer, after recommending 'a general method of bleeding and purging'before the patient uses cold bathing, continues, 'I have commonly cured the rickets by dipping childre
- 59 [305] Bernard Lintot (_post_, July 19, 1763) died Feb. 3, 1736. _Gent.Mag_. vi. 110. This, no doubt, was his son.[306] Dr. A. Carlyle (_Auto_. p. 195) says that being in London in 1746 he dined frequently with a club of officers, where they had an excelle
- 60 [333] He had read Petrarch 'when but a boy;' _ante_, p. 57.[334] Horace Walpole, writing of the year 1770, about libels, says: 'Their excess was shocking, and in nothing more condemnable than in the dangers they brought on the liberty of th
- 61 [359] The Monks of Medmenham Abbey. See Almon's _Life of Wilkes_, iii.60, for Wilkes's account of this club. Horace Walpole (_Letters_, i. 92) calls Whitehead 'an infamous, but not despicable poet.'[360] From _The Conference_, Churchil
- 62 [382] In the _Weekly Miscellany_, October 21, 1738, there appeared the following advertis.e.m.e.nt:--'Just published, Proposals for printing the _History of the Council of Trent_, translated from the Italian of Father Paul Sarpi; with the Authour
- 63 [418] Barretier's childhood surpa.s.sed even that of J. S. Mill. At the age of nine he was master of five languages, Greek and Hebrew being two of them. 'In his twelfth year he applied more particularly to the study of the fathers.' At the
- 64 [457] In the _Life of Pope_ (Johnson's _Works_, viii. 287) Johnson says that Crousaz, 'however little known or regarded here, was no mean antagonist'[458] It is not easy to believe that Boswell had read this essay, for there is nothing meta
- 65 19, 1773]. BOSWELL.[482] 'mint _of_ ecstasy:' Savage's _Works_ (1777), ii. 91.[483] 'He lives to build, not boast a generous race: No tenth transmitter of a foolish face.' _Ib_.[484] '_The b.a.s.t.a.r.d_: A poem, inscribed wi
- 66 [513] Boswell proceeds to mention six.[514] In Mrs. Williams's Miscellanies, in which this paraphrase is inserted, it is stated that the Latin epitaph was written by Dr. Freind.I do not think that the English version is by Johnson. I should be sorry
- 67 [540] Birch, _MSS. Brit. Mus_. 4303. BOSWELL.[541] 'When I survey the _Plan_ which I have laid before you, I cannot, my Lord, but confess that I am frighted at its extent, and, like the soldiers of Caesar, look on Britain as a new world, which it is
- 68 [574] In the original _Inquirer_.[575] '... nonumque prematur in annum.' Horace, _Ars Poet_. l. 388.[576] 'Of all authors,' wrote Johnson, 'those are the most wretched who exhibit their productions on the theatre, and who are to p
- 69 At last, the company having separated, without any thing of which they approved having been offered, Dodsley himself thought of _The World_. BOSWELL.[602] In the original MS. 'in this _my_ undertaking,' and below, 'the salvation _both_ of m
- 70 [637] Miss Burney records in her Diary that one day at Streatham, while she and Mrs. Thrale 'were reading this Rambler, Dr. Johnson came in. We told him what we were about. "Ah, madam!" cried he, "Goldsmith was not scrupulous; but he w
- 71 _Rambler_, No. 208.[668] I have little doubt that this attack on the concluding verse is an indirect blow at Hawkins, who had quoted the whole pa.s.sage, and had clearly thought it the more 'awful' on account of the couplet. See Hawkins's _
- 72 [696] Irene, Act i. sc. 1.[697] See _post_, Nov. 16, 1784, note.[698] The Anderdon MSS. contain an importunate letter, dated July 3, 1751, from one Mitch.e.l.l, a tradesman in Chandos-street, pressing Johnson to pay 2, due by his wife ever since August, 1
- 73 [729] 'My friend Maltby and I,' said Samuel Rogers, 'when we were very young men, had a strong desire to see Dr. Johnson; and we determined to call upon him, and introduce ourselves. We accordingly proceeded to his house in Bolt Court; and
- 74 [767] 'Je chante le vainqueur des vainqueurs de la terre.' Boileau, _L'Art poetique_, iii. 272.[768] The following note is subjoined by Mr. Langton:--'Dr. Johnson, when he gave me this copy of his letter, desired that I would annex to
- 75 [796] A Fellow of Pembroke College, of Johnson's time, described the college servants as in 'the state of servitude the most miserable that can be conceived amongst so many masters.' He says that 'the kicks and cuffs and bruises they s
- 76 [834] 'The words in Italicks are allusions to pa.s.sages in Mr. Warton's poem, called _The Progress of Discontent_, now lately published.'WARTON.--BOSWELL.'And now intent on new designs, Sighs for a fellows.h.i.+p--and fines.These fell
- 77 '_The author's definition being observed by the Commissioners of Excise, they desire the favour of your opinion_. "Qu. Whether it will not be considered as a libel, and if so, whether it is not proper to proceed against the author, printers
- 78 267), dated Feb. 3, 1753:--'I visited one in the Marshalsea prison, a nursery of all manner of wickedness. O shame to man, that there should be such a place, such a picture of h.e.l.l upon earth!' A few days later he writes:--'I visited as
- 79 [929]'I have ventured, Like little wanton boys that swim on bladders, This many summers in a sea of glory, But far beyond my depth.'Henry VIII, Act iii. sc. 2.[930] _Musical Travels through England_, by Joel Collier [not Collyer], Organist, 1774
- 80 [954] See _post_, May 19, 1777.[955] See _post_, March 21, 1772.[956] 'I have often observed with wonder, that we should know less of Ireland than of any other country in Europe.' Temple's _Works_, iii. 82.[957] The celebrated oratour, Mr.
- 81 Stevens. On Jan. 5, 1760, the t.i.tle was changed to _The Universal Chronicle and Westminster Journal_, and it was published by W. Faden and R. Stevens. On March 15, 1760, it was published by R. Stevens alone. The paper consisted of eight pages. _The Idle
- 82 _Ra.s.selas_, chap, xi. His step-daughter, Miss Porter, though for many years she was well off, had never been to London. _Post_, March 23, 1776. Nay, according to Horace Walpole (_Memoirs of the Reign of George III_, iv. 327), 'George III. had never
- 83 Simpson was in the higher parts of abstract mathematical science, he was little versed in mixed and practical mechanicks. Mr. Muller, of Woolwich Academy, the scholastick father of all the great engineers which this country has employed for forty years, d
- 84 [1078] By Colman--'There is nothing else new,' wrote Horace Walpole on March 7, 1761 (_Letters,_ in. 382), 'but a very indifferent play, called _The Jealous Wife_, so well acted as to have succeeded greatly.'[1079] In Chap. 47 of _Ra.s
- 85 'SAM. JOHNSON.'[1113] They left London on Aug. 16 and returned to it on Sept. 26.Taylor's _Reynolds_, i. 214. Northcote records of this visit:--'I remember when Mr. Reynolds was pointed out to me at a public meeting, where a great crow
- 86 [1147] P. 447. BOSWELL. 'There is another writer, at present of gigantic fame in these days of little men, who has pretended to scratch out a life of Swift, but so miserably executed as only to reflect back on himself that disgrace which he meant to
- 87 'When her pride, fierce in arms, Would to Europe give law; At her cost let her come, To our cheer of huzza!Not lightning with thunder more terrible darts, Than the burst of huzza from our bold _British_ hearts.'_Gent. Mag_. xxv. 515.WM. WHITEHEA
- 88 [1203] See _ante_, i. 365.[1204] 'Dr. Burney spoke with great warmth of affection of Dr. Johnson; said he was the kindest creature in the world when he thought he was loved and respected by others. He would play the fool among friends, but he require
- 89 [1240] Reynolds said of Johnson:--'He was not easily imposed upon by professions to honesty and candour; but he appeared to have little suspicion of hypocrisy in religion.' Taylor's _Reynolds_, ii. 459.Boswell, in one of his penitent letter
- 90 [1276] See _ante_, p. 336.[1277] He used to tell, with great humour, from my relation to him, the following little story of my early years, which was literally true: 'Boswell, in the year 1745, was a fine boy, wore a white c.o.c.kade, and prayed for
- 91 [1311] The writer of the article _Vacuum_ in the _Penny Cyclo_. (xxvi.76), quoting Johnson's words, adds:--'That is, either all s.p.a.ce is full of matter, or there are parts of s.p.a.ce which have no matter. The alternative is undeniable, and t
- 92 [1344] He published a biographical work, containing an account of eminent writers, in three vols. 8vo. BOSWELL.[1345]'Thus the soft gifts of sleep conclude the day, And stretched on bulks, as usual, poets lay.'_The Dunciad_, ii. 420.In _Humphry
- 93 [1379] Johnson's visit to Gordon and Maclaurin are just mentioned in Boswell's _Hebrides_, under Nov. 11, 1772.[1380] The only n.o.bleman with whom he dined 'about the same time' was Lord Elibank. After dining with him, 'he supped
- 94 [1409] Pope's _Moral Essays_, iii. 242.[1410] Malone says that it was from him that Boswell had his account of Garrick's election, and that he had it from Reynolds. He adds that 'Johnson warmly supported Garrick, being in reality a very ten
- 95 [1444] On this Mrs. Piozzi notes:--'No, no! Mr. Thrale's manners presented the character of a gay man of the town; like Millamant, in Congreve's comedy, he abhorred the country and everything in it.'Hayward's _Piozzi_, i. 10. Mrs.
- 96 Life Of Johnson.Vol. 2.by Boswell.In 1764 and 1765 it should seem that Dr. Johnson was so busily employed with his edition of Shakspeare, as to have had little leisure for any other literary exertion, or, indeed, even for private correspondence[1].He did
- 97 "Spemque _gregemque simul_,"for the lambs and the sheep. Yet it is also used to express any thing on which we have a present dependence, and is well applied to a man of distinguished influence, our support, our refuge, our _praesidium_, as Horac
- 98 'If you can consult Dr. Robertson, to whom I am a little known, I shall be satisfied about the propriety of whatever he shall direct. If he thinks that it should be printed, I entreat him to revise it; there may, perhaps, be some negligent lines writ
- 99 'August 2, 1767. I have been disturbed and unsettled for a long time, and have been without resolution to apply to study or to business, being hindered by sudden s.n.a.t.c.hes[122].'He, however, furnished Mr. Adams with a Dedication[*] to the Ki
- 100 'TO JAMES BOSWELL, ESQ.'MY DEAR BOSWELL, 'I have omitted a long time to write to you, without knowing very well why. I could now tell why I should not write; for who would write to men who publish the letters of their friends, without their